Monday, January 9, 2017

[Ichthyology • 2016] Schistura kampucheensis • A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Cambodia

Schistura kampucheensis, new species, is described from several localities in Cambodia. It is distinguished from all other species of Schistura by a combination of the following characters: 6-11 more or less regular, continuous black bars on body, reaching ventrally usually to level of pectoral fins; no black midlateral stripe; 8 1 /2 branched dorsal-fin rays; 8 + 8 branched caudal-fin rays; 7 pelvic-fin rays; anus situated 1.7-2.5 eye diameters before anal-fin origin; males without suborbital flap; axillary pelvic lobe present. Schistura kampucheensis had earlier been mis-identified as S. pellegrini.

Diagnosis.Schistura kampucheensis is distinguished
from all other species of Schistura by
the combination of the following characters: 8 1
/2
branched dorsal-fin rays; 8+8 branched caudal-fin
rays; 7 pectoral-fin rays, position of anus 1.7-2.5
eye diameter before anal-fin origin, no sexual
dimorphism, 6–11 regular black bars, usually not
interrupted, no black midlateral stripe, anterior
nostril not reaching margin of eye and axillary
pelvic lobe present.

Etymology. From Kampuchea, the Khmer name for Cambodia. The name refers to the fact that the species is widespread in Cambodia, but up to now is not known from outside the country. An adjective.

Habitat. The largest stream in which the species
was collected measured about 20 m in width, but
the species was most abundant in small streams
up to 6 m wide with moderate flow and many
stones (Fig. 4). Fishes were hiding between the
stones.

Distribution. The investigated material originated
from tributaries of the rivers Mekong, Tek
Chhou and Srae Ambel in the provinces Kampot,
Ratanakiri and Kaoh Kong in northern and southern Cambodia (Fig. 5). Rainboth (1996) listed
the species from the Tonle San and tributaries. It
seems that S. kampucheensis is distributed over a
large part of Cambodia, but has up to now not
been reported from any other country.